42 U.S. Code § 705 - Application for block grant funds

(a) In order to be entitled to payments for allotments under section 702 of this title for a fiscal year, a State must prepare and transmit to the Secretary an application (in a standardized form specified by the Secretary) that—

(1) contains a statewide needs assessment (to be conducted every 5 years) that shall identify (consistent with the health status goals and national health objectives referred to in section 701(a) of this title) the need for—

(A) preventive and primary care services for pregnant women, mothers, and infants up to age one;

(B) preventive and primary care services for children; and

(C) services for children with special health care needs (as specified in section 701(a)(1)(D) of this title);

(2) includes for each fiscal year—

(A) a plan for meeting the needs identified by the statewide needs assessment under paragraph (1); and

(B) a description of how the funds allotted to the State under section 702(c) of this title will be used for the provision and coordination of services to carry out such plan that shall include—

(i) subject to paragraph (3), a statement of the goals and objectives consistent with the health status goals and national health objectives referred to in section 701(a) of this title for meeting the needs specified in the State plan described in subparagraph (A);

(ii) an identification of the areas and localities in the State in which services are to be provided and coordinated;

(iii) an identification of the types of services to be provided and the categories or characteristics of individuals to be served; and

(iv) information the State will collect in order to prepare reports required under section 706(a) of this title;

(3) except as provided under subsection (b), provides that the State will use—

(A) at least 30 percent of such payment amounts for preventive and primary care services for children, and

(B) at least 30 percent of such payment amounts for services for children with special health care needs (as specified in section 701(a)(1)(D) of this title);

(4) provides that a State receiving funds for maternal and child health services under this subchapter shall maintain the level of funds being provided solely by such State for maternal and child health programs at a level at least equal to the level that such State provided for such programs in fiscal year 1989; and

(5) provides that—

(A) the State will establish a fair method (as determined by the State) for allocating funds allotted to the State under this subchapter among such individuals, areas, and localities identified under paragraph (1)(A) as needing maternal and child health services, and the State will identify and apply guidelines for the appropriate frequency and content of, and appropriate referral and followup with respect to, health care assessments and services financially assisted by the State under this subchapter and methods for assuring quality assessments and services;

(B) funds allotted to the State under this subchapter will only be used, consistent with section 708 of this title, to carry out the purposes of this subchapter or to continue activities previously conducted under the consolidated health programs (described in section 701(b)(1) of this title);

(C) the State will use—

(i) special consideration (where appropriate) for the continuation of the funding of special projects in the State previously funded under this subchapter (as in effect before August 31, 1981), and

(ii) a reasonable proportion (based upon the State’s previous use of funds under this subchapter) of such sums to carry out the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 701(a)(1) of this title;

(D) if any charges are imposed for the provision of health services assisted by the State under this subchapter, such charges (i) will be pursuant to a public schedule of charges, (ii) will not be imposed with respect to services provided to low income mothers or children, and (iii) will be adjusted to reflect the income, resources, and family size of the individual provided the services;

(E) the State agency (or agencies) administering the State’s program under this subchapter will provide for a toll-free telephone number (and other appropriate methods) for the use of parents to access information about health care providers and practitioners who provide health care services under this subchapter and subchapter XIX and about other relevant health and health-related providers and practitioners; and

(F) the State agency (or agencies) administering the State’s program under this subchapter will—

(i) participate in the coordination of activities between such program and the early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment program under section 1396d(a)(4)(B) of this title (including the establishment of periodicity and content standards for early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services), to ensure that such programs are carried out without duplication of effort,

(ii) participate in the arrangement and carrying out of coordination agreements described in section 1396a(a)(11) of this title (relating to coordination of care and services available under this subchapter and subchapter XIX),

(iii) participate in the coordination of activities within the State with programs carried out under this subchapter and related Federal grant programs (including supplemental food programs for mothers, infants, and children, related education programs, and other health, developmental disability, and family planning programs), and

(iv) provide, directly and through their providers and institutional contractors, for services to identify pregnant women and infants who are eligible for medical assistance under subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 1396a(l)(1) of this title and, once identified, to assist them in applying for such assistance.

The application shall be developed by, or in consultation with, the State maternal and child health agency and shall be made public within the State in such manner as to facilitate comment from any person (including any Federal or other public agency) during its development and after its transmittal.

(b) The Secretary may waive the requirements under subsection (a)(3) that a State’s application for a fiscal year provide for the use of funds for specific activities if for that fiscal year—

(1) the Secretary determines—

(A) on the basis of information provided in the State’s most recent annual report submitted under section 706(a)(1) of this title, that the State has demonstrated an extraordinary unmet need for one of the activities described in subsection (a)(3), and

(B) that the granting of the waiver is justified and will assist in carrying out the purposes of this subchapter; and

(2) the State provides assurances to the Secretary that the State will provide for the use of some amounts paid to it under section 703 of this title for the activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(3) and specifies the percentages to be substituted in each of such subparagraphs.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, § 505, as added Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2192(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 822; amended Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 137(b)(3), (4), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 377; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6501(b), 6503(b), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2275, 2276; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4755(c)(3), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–210.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 705, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, § 505, as added and amended Jan. 2, 1968, Pub. L. 90–248, title III, §§ 301, 304(a), 81 Stat. 923, 929; July 10, 1972, Pub. L. 92–345, § 2(a)–(c), 86 Stat. 456, 457; Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 221(c)(1), 232(b), 239(c), 86 Stat. 1389, 1411, 1417; July 1, 1973, Pub. L. 93–53, § 4(a)(3)–(5), 87 Stat. 135; Dec. 5, 1980, Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 914(c)(1), 94 Stat. 2622, related to contents of State plans, approval by Secretary, etc., prior to the general revision of this subchapter by section 2192(a) of Pub. L. 97–35. For effective date, savings, and transitional provisions, see section 2194 of Pub. L. 97–35, set out as a note under section 701 of this title. For effective dates of prior amendments, see section 304(b) of Pub. L. 90–248, sections 232(c) and 239(d) of Pub. L. 92–603, and section 914(c)(2) of Pub. L. 96–499 as amended by section 137(c)(2) of Pub. L. 97–248.

Another prior section 705, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, § 505, 49 Stat. 631; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 2, § 1, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7873, 60 Stat. 1095; Aug. 28, 1950, ch. 809, title III, pt. 6, § 361(e), 64 Stat. 558, provided for stopping payment on failure to comply with plan for maternal and child health services, prior to the general amendment of title V of the Social Security Act by Pub. L. 90–248, § 301, and was covered by former section 707 of this title.

Provisions similar to those comprising former section 705 were contained in sections 503 and 513 of act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title V, 49 Stat. 630, 632, as amended (formerly classified to sections 703 and 713 of this title), prior to the general amendment and renumbering of title V of act Aug. 14, 1935, by Pub. L. 90–248, § 301.

Amendments

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “requirements” for “requirement” in introductory provisions.

1989—Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(1), substituted “Application for block grant funds” for “Description of intended expenditures and statement of assurances” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(2), (3), inserted “(a)” before “In order to be entitled” and “an application (in a standardized form specified by the Secretary) that” after “must prepare and transmit to the Secretary”.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(4), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “a report describing the intended use of payments the State is to receive under this subchapter for the fiscal year, including (A) a description of those populations, areas, and localities in the State which the State has identified as needing maternal and child health services, (B) a statement of goals and objectives for meeting those needs, (C) information on the types of services to be provided and the categories or characteristics of individuals to be served, and (D) data the State intends to collect respecting activities conducted with such payments; and”.

Subsec. (a)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(4), added pars. (2) to (4) and redesignated former par. (2) as (5).

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(A), (6), in introductory provisions, substituted “provides” for “a statement of assurances that represents to the Secretary”, and in concluding provisions, substituted “The application shall be developed by, or in consultation with, the State maternal and child health agency and shall be made public within the State in such manner as to facilitate comment from any person (including any Federal or other public agency) during its development and after its transmittal.” for “The description and statement shall be made public within the State in such manner as to facilitate comment from any person (including any Federal or other public agency) during development of the description and statement and after its transmittal. The description and statement shall be revised (consistent with this section) throughout the year as may be necessary to reflect substantial changes in any element of such description or statement, and any revision shall be subject to the requirements of the preceding sentence.”

Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(4), redesignated former par. (2) as (5).

Subsec. (a)(5)(A). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(B), substituted “will establish” for “will provide”.

Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(i). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(C), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: “a substantial proportion of the sums expended by the State for carrying out this subchapter for the provision of health services to mothers and children, with special consideration given (where appropriate) to the continuation of the funding of special projects in the State previously funded under this subchapter (as in effect before August 13, 1981), and”.

Subsec. (a)(5)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6501(b), substituted “subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 701(a)(1) of this title” for “paragraphs (1) through (3) of section 701(a) of this title”.

Subsec. (a)(5)(E). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(D), (E), added subpar. (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).

Subsec. (a)(5)(F). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(F)(i), struck out “participate” after “under this subchapter will” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(E), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F).

Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(i). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(F)(ii)–(iv), inserted “participate” before “in the coordination” and substituted “diagnostic” for “diagnosis” and “section 1396d(a)(4)(B) of this title (including the establishment of periodicity and content standards for early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services)” for “subchapter XIX of this chapter”.

Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(ii). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(F)(iv), inserted “participate” before “in the arrangement”.

Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(iii). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(F)(iv), inserted “participate” before “in the coordination”.

Subsec. (a)(5)(F)(iv). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(5)(F)(v)–(vii), added cl. (iv).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6503(b)(7), added subsec. (b).

1982—Par. (2)(B). Pub. L. 97–248, § 137(b)(3), substituted “section 701(b)(1)” for “section 702(b)(1)”.

Subsec. (2)(D). Pub. L. 97–248, § 137(b)(4), substituted “any charges are imposed” for “the State imposes any charges”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Amendment by section 6501(b) of Pub. L. 101–239 applicable to appropriations for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1990, and amendment by section 6503(b) of Pub. L. 101–239 applicable to payments for allotments for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 1991, see section 6510(a), (b)(1) of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 701 of this title.

Effective Date of 1982 Amendment

Amendment by section 137 of Pub. L. 97–248 effective as if originally included as part of this section as this section was amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, see section 137(d)(2) of Pub. L. 97–248, set out as a note under section 1396a of this title.